LAUREL PARK PICKS AND PONDERINGS: FEB. 6, 2022
In which we pick the races from Laurel Park each day…
Post time: 12:25 p.m.
Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $5,319 Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0
Check out our other handicapping here!
RACE 1: CLAIMING $5,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES
1-3-6-4
#1 Tiny Tim (5/1) closed strongly to get fourth in his first start off the layoff last out. He has great late speed and will be rolling while the rest are fading. #3 Camp Pendleton (2/1) makes his local debut for Rodolfo Sanchez-Solomon after competing at Gulfstream Park. He broke his maiden five starts back and has been fairly competitive against n/w2L types down there. His brisnet figures in the upper 60s and low 70s make him a contender here. #6 Boondoggle (9/5) led most of the way in his first start at this level last out and got caught late. He’ll be a threat if he can cross and clear before the turn.
RACE 2: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES
6-5-3-1
#6 Congress Hall (2/1) closed strongly against open claimers last out and just missed, losing by a neck. She almost always runs in the 70s and should close well once again. #5 Breviary (9/5) goes second off a brief layoff and takes a drop from the starter optional claiming level. Her figures in her last few have been below par but she should benefit from the class relief. #3 Love Is Strong (7/2) also has good late speed. Her last race around two turns isn’t that impressive on the surface, but she was hung wide on the turn early in that race. Should save more ground here with her draw.
- Maryland Juvenile: A mystery solved, decades laterSaturday’s Maryland Juvenile Stakes should be a fun race, but it’s unlikely to launch the careers of two Classic winners, like the 1982 edition did.
RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $10,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS
7-5-8-3
#7 Dial Me Maybe (5/2) has run at least a 67 in each of her last three starts and has potent early speed. She had problems going into the gate last out, which compromised her performance, but if she loads well this time, she’s going to be tough. #5 She’s Got Game (3/1) showed speed and faded on debut going a mile at Parx. She cuts back in distance and adds lasix for the first time for Jamie Ness. #8 Kobe’s Girl (7/2) put in a career-best effort last out, churning on for third. It was in contrast to her prior races, where she’d rate near the pace and not kick on at all.
RACE 4: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE
5-6-4-1
#5 Relativlea (4/1) was very impressive first off the claim for Jamie Ness, drawing off from a maiden claiming field after a wide trip. He proved in that race that a one-turn mile is no problem. #6 Free Square (2/1) went gate-to-wire last out in a strong performance. Like Relativlea, he defeated Jasontakeslong in that race. That one won a maiden special weight race at Charles Town on Thursday. #4 Lord Mio (3/1) drops from the allowance optional claiming level and adds blinkers for Claudio Gonzalez. He ran figures that are competitive for this condition in his last two but was visually unimpressive.
RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $10,000, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS
3-5-4-1
#3 Birthday Wish (9/5) continues her drop down the class ladder. She’s gone off as the slight favorite in each of her last three starts, and has briefly stalked before flattening out every time. Her figures fit right in with these. #5 Iamproud (4/1) goes third off the layoff and has improved with every start. Look for her to set the early pace. #4 Union Betty (6/1) had a tough trip going long last out but held on for third. Should improve cutting back.
RACE 6: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES
3-4-6-8
#3 Lucky Ramsey (5/2) improved sharply in his second start off the layoff, getting second with a strong mark of 76 despite a wide trip. Should keep moving forward here. #4 Find Your Boaz (6/1) has no early speed at all but always closes for a piece of the pie. He’s worth using underneath at a good number. #6 Always Forgiven (8/1) was rank early on in his last start but closed well once he settled down. He’s starting to round back into his best form and is also worth using at a decent price.
- Maryland Juvenile: A mystery solved, decades laterSaturday’s Maryland Juvenile Stakes should be a fun race, but it’s unlikely to launch the careers of two Classic winners, like the 1982 edition did.
RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGD
3-6-5-4
#3 Tequila Fog (3/1) raced well in her first start off the claim for Anthony Farrior, finishing a clear-cut second behind odds-on choice Marvella Nasty. Third-place finisher Devilish Affair won an open claiming race next out. #6 Awesome View (7/2) has won two of her last three and is the main speed threat in the field. She looks fast enough to clear to the rail from her outside post. #5 Azzurra (5/2) stalked the pace and drew off to beat West Virginia-bred allowance horses at Charles Town last out. She’ll try to keep moving forward second off the layoff.
RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $10,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS
3-4-5-1
#3 Emma Devine (5/2) closed well after dealing with traffic early on in her debut, and has lots of room for improvement here. #4 La Reina Susan (4/1) has been on the upswing and should get an easier trip this time compared to last, when she was hung wide throughout. #5 Holy Pink (6/1) goes second off the claim for Linda Albert and will try to recoup her good form from last November.
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